Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Camp Breathe Easy set for May 30-June 5

This year’s Camp Breathe Easy, the American Lung Association of Georgia’s camp for children with asthma, is May 30-June 5 at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia. Camp Breathe Easy is for children with asthma who need daily medication and are limited in summer camping opportunities. Celebrating its 24th year, Camp Breathe Easy is the largest asthma camp in the Southeast.

Children at Camp Breathe Easy receive a traditional summer camp experience under the watchful eye of medical professionals who volunteer their time to the program. The children learn asthma self-management techniques and coping strategies to better handle their illness. In addition, kids swim, repel off trees, canoe in the lake, play soccer and participate in arts and crafts.

Children in Georgia miss over a half-million school days each year due to asthma, according to a report released by the American Lung Association of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Division of Public Health. Asthma in Georgia, 2000, paints a picture of emergency room visits, parents’ missed workdays and not enough patient/family education about controlling asthma.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease that narrows the airways and causes difficulty in breathing. Asthma attacks can be caused by infections, allergies or environmental factors like dust, pollution or tobacco smoke.

Camp Breathe Easy’s goal is to increase a camper’s sense of independence, build self-confidence and teach preventive measures to avoid asthmatic episodes.

For registration and more information about Camp Breathe Easy, call the American Lung Association of Georgia at 770.434.5864 or 1(800) LUNGUSA.